Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated or blended fluid products

US5603257A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
29References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 1994
Grant dateFeb 18, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 19, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S261/75
  • WIPO fieldFood chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated product comprises a mixer which has a first inlet for receiving a fluid, a second inlet for receiving a gas, and an outlet. A relatively long continuous turbulence passage of relatively small cross section has one end positioned to receive the effluent from the mixer outlet and its other end spaced from the mixer outlet so that the effluent is subjected to confined turbulent mixing in the turbulence passage until the fluid product is discharged from the passage other end. If that product is to be cooled, the turbulence passage leads to a cooling area which cools and at least partially freezes the fluid product issuing from that passage. The invention has particular application to the making and dispensing of frozen yogurt and ice cream and allows for the service of individualized fresh portions in a variety of flavors and with little required cleaning.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.